Doreen Matilda Johnson

Doreen Matilda Johnson, age 77, of Menahga, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 12, 2026, at Green Pine Acres in Menahga surrounded by the love of her family.

Cremation rites will be accorded, and a Celebration of Life will be held on Friday 16, 2026, at 2:00 P.M., with a time of visitation taking place one hour prior from 1:00-2:00 P.M. at Karvonen Funeral Home in Wadena, Minnesota. Pastor Dave Seaton will officiate.

Doreen Matilda Johnson (Kimball) was born on October 7, 1948, in Park Rapids, Minnesota, the daughter of Clark Ernest Kimball and Elizabeth Sophie (Walker) Kimball. She grew up in the Menahga/Wolf Lake area alongside her siblings, Beryl, LaVelle, Gail, Ernest & Richard.

Doreen held several jobs throughout her life, but her true passion was cosmetology. After high school, she graduated from the cosmetology program at Wadena Technical college and worked at the Menahga Beauty Shop, Stearns (sewing life jackets,) KinderCare in the Minneapolis area (where children loved her) & Homecrest in Wadena.

Doreen was always behind the camera, she found joy in hairstyling, sewing, watching The Golden Girls and her favorite soap operas, wearing her coral lipstick, and carrying what seemed like everything in her purse. If Doreen didn’t have it in her purse, chances were you didn’t need it. Above all else, Doreen loved spending time with her family and friends.  

Those left to honor Doreen’s memory include her children, Kim (Clay) Montella of Detroit Lakes and Kenny (Kim) Wuollet of Browerville; her grandchildren, Marissa (Chad) Menne, Jesse (Erin) Lisson, Hayley (Andrew) Clark, Mandy (Clint) LeBlanc, and Trisha (Caleb) Prazak; her great-grandchildren, Stella Lisson, Jude Lisson, Tyler Terjessen, Sydney Terjessen, Caleb LeBlanc, Adley LeBlanc, and James Clark; along with many extended family members, including Lavern Conger, Sharon Blair, Scott Kimball, Mike Kimball, Diane Chube, Daryl Irish, Darwin Irish, David Irish, Steve Schoberg, and Brad Schoberg. A longtime friend who visited Doreen was Rose Stomberg (they had been friends since middle school).

Doreen was preceded in death by her parents, Clark & Elizabeth Kimball; her brother, Ernest Kimball, and sister-in-law, Darleen Kimball; her brothers-in-law, Lester Irish & Ron Conger; her niece, Rose Senger; and her nephew, Troy Kimball.

May her memory be a blessing to all who knew her.

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